How to Apply

A cover letter and resume are important submissions for the hiring team to get a sense of your experience. In the cover letter, two pages or less, please let us know how this role aligns with your career aspirations and skill set. Submit both a cover letter and resume as one file (because of system limitations). Your materials will be assessed for written communication skills.

Summary

The Chief Registrar is an essential member of the Museum's senior team, part of the team managing exhibition planning and implementation and responsible for the overall management and stewardship of the Museum's collection. Reporting to the Chief Curator, you will perform advanced, diverse and complex professional duties that require a flexible, curious and forward-looking mindset. Occasional evening and weekend work, as well as travel, required. The working location will be a hybrid of remote and on-site at UMMA.

For questions about this role, contact talent.acquisition@umich.edu.  For a full job description, follow this link.

Who We Are

Under the leadership of Museum Director Christina Olsen, the University of Michigan Museum of Art is in the midst of a dynamic and creative transformation. With a renewed focus on anti-racism and social justice issues, nationally important exhibitions and research, and an expansion of strategic institutional and artistic partnerships, UMMA is building an international profile and a broad and diverse public both within and far beyond the boundaries of our campus.

Responsibilities*

• Manage exhibition logistics including loan forms, arranging transit, coordinating courier travel, fabrication/packing/delivery of crates, acting as a courier for both domestic and international loans on behalf of the Museum.
• Maintain the collections database (Collective Access);
• Manage the loan process for departing and arriving art objects including working with donors to ensure their interests are being met.
• Collaborate with curators and other team members to ensure collection/display goals are met and navigate complex challenges with an eye towards creative problem solving.
• Review lender-generated contracts with appropriate members of the UMMA team and negotiate terms with lenders as appropriate;
• Work in partnership with the Director of Exhibitions to develop contracts for UMMA-generated touring exhibitions.
• Develop, communicate and enforce ethical collection policies and procedures in support of University and AAM guidelines; periodically review policies to ensure applicability and make changes as necessary;
• Develop, administer and monitor the registration and workshop budgets;
• Supervise the Assistant and Associate Registrar(s), Collections, Object and Paper Study Art Handlers, and Asian Art Conservator, including guiding and mentoring staff to align activities with the Museum's strategic priorities; conduct annual performance evaluations; also supervise work study students, temporary employees, interns and volunteers.

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Art History, Museum Studies, or a related field or a combination of equivalent education and experience required.
• 5+ years of experience in a museum setting, working with objects/collections including the development of management strategies, collections policies and procedures.
• Comprehensive knowledge of collection registration best practices and procedures.
• 3+ years of formal supervisory experience.
• Knowledgeable in national and international collections management thought leadership and trends.
• Demonstrated capacity to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds in a flexible and transparent manner.
• Comprehensive knowledge of and experience in overseeing and maintaining information systems including collections management database applications.
• Proficiency in developing, managing and tracking budgets.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

U-M COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

COVID-19 vaccinations, including one booster when eligible, are required for all University of Michigan students, faculty and staff across all campuses, including Michigan Medicine.  This includes those working remotely and temporary workers.   More information on this new policy is available on the U-M Health Response website or the UM-Dearborn and UM-Flint websites.